MY DFA Information

I’ve been approved. What’s next?

• You can expect your DFA officer to reach out to all adults (18 or older) in your household to set up a meeting. This meeting is an opportunity for your household participate in determining the conditions that would be best suited per household member.

How much support will I receive?

• Services received are based on every household’s deficit, which is the difference between income and expenses. Based on this amount, different categories of service can be provided.

 “Here’s what we’ll need from you.”

• While receiving assistance, you’ll need to keep us informed on any changes of personal circumstances. You must inform us  within ten working days of:
  • Changes in addresses for any household members
  • Changes in circumstances for any household members
• If you or any other household member will travel outside of the Islands, a notice must be sent within ten working days before the date of travel.
• Meetings with the Department must be attended by both recipients and household members.
• Conditions that are placed on your assistance must be adhered to for continued support. These can range from attending training programmes, mental health assessments or anything else deemed necessary. You can view your household’s conditions on the MY DFA page.
  • It is important to adhere to these conditions, as failure to do so may see your support suspended and/or revoked.

“Why has my Financial Assistance been suspended?"

• Suspension occurs in whole or in part where:
  • A Household member does not adhere to outlined conditions
  • A member of your household is absent from the island for over six weeks
  • A Household member has been moved into a government institution where board and lodging are provided.
  • The Department is reviewing the household’s approval of financial assistance.

“Why has my Financial Assistance been revoked?”

• This occurs in whole or in part where a household member
  • No longer fulfills the criteria for financial assistance
  • Provides false, misleading or inaccurate information regarding their receipt of financial assistance
  • Has not adhered to the conditions placed on the household
• Households whose assistance has been revoked due to providing false, misleading or inaccurate information will not be able to reapply until a full year has passed since the date of revocation was communicated in the first instance. In any following instance, that household will not be able to re-apply for two years.

“How do I get a Reconsideration?”

• You can apply for a reconsideration of the following aspects of financial assistance:
  • Amount (except where the amount of financial assistance is a fixed amount
  • Duration
  • Conditions
  • Refusal of an application
  • Suspension
  • Revocation
  • Variation
  • The recovery money over or improperly paid.
• Once you’ve filled out our Reconsideration form, you’ll need to send it in within 21 working days of the decision being reconsidered.
  • You can then expect a response from the Department on your request within 21 days of sending it.